Thermostatically-controlled valve unit



. 9, 1930. J. v. GIESLER THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED VALVE UNIT Filed Jan.

6cm new Patented 9,1930

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This invention relates to thermostatically I operated valvemechanism, and particularly to thermosticall operated valve mechanism for regulating t e circulation of the cooling medium through the cooling system of an incapable of embodiment in thermostatically operated valve mechanism both of the choker type, wherein the position of the valve member determines the quantity of cooling.medium circulating through the coolin system, and of the by-pass type, wherem the position of the valve member determines the path of f the cooling medium circulating throu h the cooling system. r

Wit the increase in use of thermostatically operated valve mechanism for controlling the circulation of the cooling medium through the cooling systems of automobile engines, particularly of the medium priced and lower priced cars, there is an increasing demand for thermostatically operated valve mechanism which constitutes a self-contained unit and which is composed of a minimum num r of parts, so that it is simple and inex nsive to manufacture and install.

t is an ob ect of this invention to provide a device of t e character described which is composed of a number of simple parts which may be produced at a minimum expense and wherem 'the support for the thermostat may be formed as an integral unit.

vide a device of the character descri wherein the thermofiat support is formed as an integral unit and so constructed that the thermostat may be assembled therewith from a lateral. direction, so as to facilitate the assembly of the thermostat therewith.

Another object of this-invention is to provide a device of the character described wherein the thermostat support is formed as -nal section, of another embodiment an integral unit and so constructed that the thermostat may be installed therein from a lateral direction and wherein the valve member may be readily assembled therewith for ly with said support.

other lects will appear as the description of the invention roeeeds.

The invention is capable of recei a va- -.riety of mechanical expressions, two 0 which are shown on the accompanying dra s but it is to be expressly understood that the Fig.3 is an end view of said embodiment taken from the valveend of the unit;

4 cooperation with avalve seat formed integral- Fig. 4 is an end view of said embodiment I taken from the opposite end of the unit; I v Fig. 5 is an elevation, partly in longitudiof the present invention;v and Fig. 6 is an end viewof the embodiment of the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive;

the thermostatlO is illustrated as compose of 'a stationary end wall 11 and a movable .end wall 12 suitably attached, as bysolderor brazing to a deepl corrugated flexib e, tubular w all 13 pre rably of resilient her which is .d ed to receive a volatile fluid of any suitab e character. The station-,

ary end wall 11 is shown as provided with a. boss 14, threaded or otherwise suitably. formed for attachment to a support as here inafter said delsirialbly c011; tainin e opening w ic may sealed y a stopfier 17 and solder 18. The movable end we 12 is shown as provided an inwardly directed boss 19 to receive metal, and forming t erewith a closed cham-" I a threaded recess 20, which preferably does .ary end wall 11 if desired, to limit the collapse of the'thermostat when the same is not mounted in operative relation with the valve member and its seat.

In conformity with the present invention a support for the thermostat is provided as an integral unit, said support also perferably having formed integrally therewith a seat for the valve member and also if desired means for mounting the unit in operative position, and said support also preferably acting as a guide and a limit stop. for the expansive and'contractive movements of-the thermostat. Said support is shown as formed as an open generally rectangular frame composed of a pair of leg members 23, preferably parallel and spaced by a distance somewhat greater than the outside diameter of the thermostat, and a air of transverse members 24 and 25, integra with said leg members 23 and preferably extending at right angles thereto adjacent the opposite extremities thereof; Said transverse members 24 and 25 may take a variety of forms. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the transverse member 24 takes the form of a strut of a width somewhat greater than the diameter of the threaded boss 14, and is provided with a threaded aperture 26 to receive said boss. Member 25 is illustrated as a spider having a central hub 27 provided with an aperture 28 thereth'rough, although it'may take the form of a strut or have any other suitable form.

Formed integrally with the thermostat support is a valve seat ring 29 which provides a central valve opening 30. Bin 29 may be in the same planeas or in a di erent plane from the transverse member 25, and if the guide and sto afforded by said member 25 are not desire it may take the place of said member in forming the fourth side of the the generally rectangular. integral frame. Also preferably formed integrally with said support is a mounting ring31. In the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the valve seat ring 25 and the mountin ring 31 are provided at opposite ends of the support, although this is not essential, as for some forms of units the mounting ring may be formed at the same end of the support as the valve seat ring, or constitute an extension of the valve seat ring.

In this embodiment the valve end of The free distance between the transverse members 24 and 25'is made at least as great as the overall length of the thermostat when in contracted position so that the thermostat may be mounted in position by insertion laterally intothe opening afforded by said rectangular frame. Preferably the transverse member 25 is designed to act as a stop for limiting the expansive movement of the thermostat, the central hub 27 being shown as adapted to engage and stop the annular boss 21 on the movable end wall of the thermostat, and in this event the extent of projection of the threaded boss 14 from the stationary end wall 11 must be no greater than the intended stroke of the thermostat so'that the overall length of the thermostat shall not exceed the distance between said transverse members 24 and 25. j

The valve stem and valve member may be attached to the movable end wall 12 of the thermostat in any suitable way. In the form shown, the valve member 33 is illustrated as intergral with the valve stem 34, although if desired the valve member may be formed separately from and attached to said valve stem 34. The inner end of the valve stem is threaded for engagement in the threaded recess 20 and may be locked therein in any suitable way, as by a pin 35 passed through openings drilled in the annular boss 21 and the valve stem 34. w i

The thermostat support, together with the valve seat ring and mounting ring integral therewith when used, are preferably made of cast metal and cast as a unit. If desired, the apertures 26 and 28 may be drilled in the casting, or suitable openings may be left in the casting as made. The aperture 26 may thereafter be tapped to provide the screw thread 26, or any other suitable means for attaching the stationary end wall 11 of the thermostat to the member 24 may be provided. If found desirable, the face of the valve seat ring 29 may be ground to provide a proper seat for the valve member 33 and the ring 31 may be machined to proper size, if necessary. The thermostat is assembled with the support by introducing the same laterally into the rectangular opening afforded in the frame between the legs 23 and the transverse members 24 and 25, and the boss 14 may then be threaded into the aperture 26 or otherwise suitably attached to the transverse member 24. The valve stem 34, either with or without the valve member 33 thereon, may then be passed through the aperture 28 in the trans verse member 25 and threaded into the recess 20 or otherwise suitably secured to the movable end wall 12 of the thermostat. A hole may then be drilled through the annular boss 21 and valve stem 34 to receive the pin 35 by which.said stem is locked against displace ment or said stem may be otherwise suitably locked to said movable end wall. The valve member should be so related to the movable end wall 12 of the thermostat that when the valve member is in contact with its seat the internal stop 22, when used, is out of contact with the stationary end wall 11 of .said thermostat.

In the embodiment of 5 and 6, a simpler construction is illustrated wherein the thermostat support takes the form of a U-shaped frame havin legs 40 and transverse member 41. Forme frame is a ring 42 and a transverse member 43, shown as connecting thele of the frame adjacent their junction with t e ring 42, but spaced from said ring. Ring 42 .projects radially outside of the frame sufiicientlyto constitute a mounting ring for the unit, and also functions as the valve seat for thevalve member 33. The transverse member 43 is. enlarged or otherwise suitably formed intermediate its length so as to provide a hub44 apertured to receive the valve stem 34. Otherwise the construction and manner of assembly of the parts in the embodiment of Fi 5 and 6 is the same as heretofore described in conjunction with the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.

It will therefore be perceived that a thermostaticall operated valve unit has been pro! vided whic is composed of a minimum number of parts, including a support which is formed as an integral unit, a thermostat, and a valve stem and valve member which may also be formed as a unit, while the valve seat and mounting ring may also be formed integrally with and constitute a unitary part of the support. The thermostat maybe assembled with the support by movement into the opening of the frame thereof from a lateral direction, andthen be threaded or otherwise fixedly attached to the support without using any of the more or less expensive and complicated attachments heretofore emplaoyed, while the valve stem and valve memr may also be readily assembled with the thermostat and supportafter the thermostat is in position. The unit is therefore simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, and may be produced at a minimum expense. I

When assembled the thermostat is fixedly and rigidly retained against displacement with its stationary end wall secured to the thermostat support and with its movable end wall attached to the valve member, and the thermostat sup rt cooperates with the valve stem to guide t e thermostat in its expansive abl limits the extent of such movements.

ile the embodiments of the invention 7 illustrated on the drawings have been described with considerable particularity, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not restricted thereto, as the same is capable integrally with said Y of receivi other mechanical expressions, some of which will now readily themselves to those skilled in the art, while changes may be made in the details of construction, arrangement and proportion of parts without departing from t e spirit of this invention. It is to be expressly understood that the details of the thermostat'form no part of the,

is invention. Reference is therefore to be had to the claims hereto appended for a definition of the limits of the invention. What is claimed is:

1. Inathermostaticallyoperatedvalveunit, in combination with a thermostat, a thermostat support forming a complete integral generally rectangular frame with which the thermostat may be assembled by lateral movement throu h the opening thereof, and means whereliy the thermostat may be fixedly attached to one of the sides of'the complete frame, the opposite side of said frame being provided with a valve seat and with guiding means '.for the expansive and contractive movements of the thermostat.

2. In a thermostatically operated valve unit,

unit, in combinationwith a thermostat, a thermostat support composed of a complete cast metal generallyrec'tangular frame having openings in opposed members whereby s aid thermostat may be attached to one of,

said members and a valve stem passedcthrough the other'of said members into position for attachment to said thermostat, and a valve seat member cast integral with the opposite side of said frame from that to which said thermostat is attached, said valve seat being on the exterior of said frame. and contractive movements, and also prefera 4. In a thermostatically operated valve unit, in combination with athermostat, a thermostat support composed of a complete cast metal generally rectangular frame having openings in opposed members whereby said thermostat may be attached within the frame to one of said members and avalve stem 3. In a thermostatically operated valve passed through the other of saidmembers into stat, and a mounting ring integral with said position for attachment to said thermostat, last named transverse member.

and a mounting member cast integral with the side of said frame to which the thermostat is attached and projecting peripherally there.-

from.

5. In a thermostatically operated valve unit, in combination witha thermostat, a combined thermostat support and valve seat member forming a complete integral generally rectangular frame with which the thermostat may be assembled by lateral movement through the opening thereof, and means whereby the thermostat maybe fixedly attached to said frame after insertion laterally through the rectangular opening thereof.

6. In a thermostatically operated valve unit, in combination with a thermostat, a combined thermostat support and valve seat member forming a complete integral generally rectangular frame with which the ther mostat may be assembled by lateral movementv through the opening thereof, and means I whereby the thermostat may be fixedly attached to said frame, the opposite side of said frame being provided with means for guiding the'expansive and cont'ractive movements of the thermostat and with an integral ring forming said valve seat member.

7. In a thermostatically operated valve unit, in combination with a thermostat, a

combined thermostat support and valve seat member forming a complete, open, generally rectangular frame with which the thermostat may be assembled by lateral vmovement through the opening thereof, means for attaching said thermostat to said frame, the opposite side of said frame having a guide opening therein, and a valve stem attachable to said thermostat through said opening.

' 8. In athermostatically operated valve unit, in combination with-a thermostat, a combined thermostat support and valve seat memberformed of cast metal and including a pair of leg members and a pair of transverse members integral therewith and forming a complete frame, saidthermostatbeing laterally insertible into said support through the opening afforded by said leg members and transverse members, a valve stem attached to said thermostat, and means for attaching said thermostat to one of said transverse members, the opposite transverse member cooperating with said valve stem to guide the movement of the thermostat. 9. In a thermostatically operated valve A unit, in combination with a thermostat, a

valve stem, a one-piece support for said thermostat comprising a pair of leg members, a pair of transverse members integral with said leg members and forming a complete open rectangular'frame, one of said transverse members having a guideopening for the valve stem and the other of said transverse members having means for attaching the thermo- In testimon specification. 

